Marcus Mariota, two other Titans injured in NFL's longest-game on record

Titans, Dolphins game passes six hours after two weather delays; Titans QB goes down in loss

By ERIC EDHOLM

Sept. 9, 2018

Marcus Mariota (USA Today Sports)

The Tennessee Titans lost the longest game in NFL history, but the injury to their starting quarterback was the biggest story in Miami on Sunday.

Marcus Mariota suffered an elbow injury after a second long weather delay for the Titans-Dolphins game and left the game. He was replaced by backup Blaine Gabbert, but the Titans couldn't rally in a 27-20 Miami victory.

This game surpassed the 2013 game between the Baltimore Ravens and Chicago Bears, which also was delayed by weather, for the longest in history. That game lasted five hours, 16 minutes.

Mariota threw his second interception of the game immediately following the game's second delay because of lightning, which lasted two hours and 20 minutes. The pass was tipped and caught by the Dolphins' Kiko Alonso.

On Mariota's first interception of the game, picked by the Dolphins' Reshad Jones, Titans left tackle Taylor Lewan also was hurt when Dolphins defensive lineman Andre Branch hit Lewan hard during the return.

While Lewan remained motionless on the field, Dolpjhins defensive tackle Jordan Phillips and Dolphins defensive back Bobby McCain were flagged for unsportsmanlike conduct as fights broke out on the field. The Titans' Dion Lewis also was penalized for his involvement in the fight.

Lewan was being evaluated for a concussion. Mariota ended the game 9-of-16 passing for 103 yards and the two picks. He also ran three times for 15 yards. The Titans also lost longtime tight end Delanie Walker with a serious leg injury.

Gabbert completed 11-of-22 passes for 117 yards and an INT, pulling the Titans within a touchdown before the ensuing onsides kick was recovered by Miami in the waning seconds. The loss spoiled the NFL head-coaching debut for Mike Vrabel in his first game at the helm with the team. Tennessee also went 0-4 in the preseason.

The Dolphins received an up-and-down return from QB Ryan Tannehill following a torn ACL last season. He threw for 230 yards with two TDs but also two picks. But it was enough, with Jones intercepting two passes, Jakeem Grant running back a 102-yard kickoff return for a score and Miami's run game working most of the game.

Tannehill hit Kenny Stills on a 75-yard TD early in the fourth quarter to give the Dolphins a two-TD lead and keep them in front for the remainder of the game.